President & CEO

Job Title: President & CEO
Organization: International Institute of St. Louis
Location: St. Louis Metropolitan Area MO or IL
Reports To: Board of Directors


About Us

Existing for more than 100 years International Institute of St. Louis is a missiondriven 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to empowering refugees and immigrants by providing essential support for their successful integration into a new country and community. Our programs focus on housing employment education legal assistance and cultural adaptation ensuring individuals and families have the resources to become thriving contributing residents and eventually citizens. Our mission/vision is simply stated: The International Institute of St. Louis provides opportunities for immigrants and refugees to thrive in order to create a welcoming prosperous and healthy region for all.


Position Overview

The President & CEO serves as the chief executive of International Institute of St. Louis providing nonpartisan visionary leadership strategic direction and operational oversight to fulfill the organizations mission. Reporting to the Board of Directors the President & CEO oversees all aspects of strategic operations fundraising partnerships and program development ensuring the organization remains sustainable effective and responsive to the needs of refugees and immigrants and the community.


Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Develop and execute a strategic plan that upholds the organizations mission while maintaining political neutrality in all activities communications and partnerships.

• Serve as the primary spokesperson ensuring messaging remains missionfocused and centered on the humanitarian and economic benefits of supporting refugees and immigrants.

• Cultivate a culture of respect and evidencebased advocacy that fosters trust among various stakeholders.

• Ensure the organization remains adaptable to evolving immigration policies and community needs while maintaining a steadfast commitment to empowering refugees and immigrants in the state of Missouri and the region.

Operational & Program Management

• Oversee the design and implementation of comprehensive programs that assist refugees and immigrants with housing employment language acquisition cultural adaptation healthcare access and legal support.

• Ensure programs remain missiondriven and rooted in best practices to maximize impact while remaining eligible for funding from diverse sources.

• Establish measurable goals for program success and regularly evaluate outcomes to ensure effectiveness and efficiency.

• Develop partnerships with local agencies community organizations and service providers to enhance program offerings and streamline access to resources.

Fundraising & Financial Management

• Balance mission and services growth with stability and fiscal responsibility.

• Lead a diversified fundraising strategy that includes private donations corporate sponsorships NGO support and federal state and local grants ensuring financial sustainability for the organization.

• Oversee grant writing and compliance ensuring funding applications align with the organizations mission and meet all regulatory and reporting requirements.

• Build relationships with philanthropic foundations international NGOs and government agencies to secure funding without compromising the organizations independence or status.

• Ensure transparent financial reporting and accountability to donors grantors and the Board of Directors.

Advocacy & Policy Engagement

• Advocate for policies and initiatives that support refugee integration economic selfsufficiency and access to essential services while ensuring all advocacy efforts remain within applicable guidelines and requirements.

• Develop and maintain strong nonpartisan relationships with lawmakers policymakers and government agencies to provide expert insights on refugee resettlement.

• Collaborate with national and international refugee and immigrant organizations to share best practices and amplify the organizations impact.

• Educate the public and stakeholders on the humanitarian economic and social contributions of refugees and immigrants.

Community Engagement & Public Relations

• Serve as a bridge between refugees local communities businesses and government agencies to foster understanding engagement and mutual support.

• Represent the organization in media engagements public forums and conferences maintaining a consistent and neutral message that highlights the shared values of compassion opportunity and economic contribution.

• Develop and oversee public education campaigns that raise awareness of the challenges and successes of refugees and immigrants.

• Facilitate dialogue and collaboration among diverse community groups ensuring that refugee support is seen as a unifying issue rather than a political debate.

Board & Team Leadership

• Work closely with the Board of Directors to develop implement and enforce governance policies that support the organizations mission riskaverse profile and the longterm health of the organization.

• Build and lead a highperforming team dedicated to refugee and immigrant support ensuring adherence to the organizations values of fostering community strength professionalism and service.

• Provide leadership development and training opportunities to staff.

• Foster a collaborative missiondriven workplace culture that attracts top talent committed to ethical impactful service.

Qualifications & Experience

• Enthusiastic commitment to refugee and immigrant rights and community empowerment.

• Bachelors degree in nonprofit management public administration business social work or a related field.

• 10 years of progressive leadership experience in a nonprofit government or related sector.

• Proven history in fundraising fiscal management budget operational and strategic planning.

• Strong advocacy public speaking and relationshipbuilding skills with varied community groups including donors volunteers and Board Members.

• Experience in developing growing and scaling a wide variety of communitybased service programs particularly focused on refugees and the immigrant community.

• Demonstrated high level of adaptability and agility to effectively manage changing policies and funding.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary based on experience.

• Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance retirement plan and paid leave.

• Professional development opportunities.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a resume cover letter and references to by May 16 2025.

International Institute of St. Louis is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds to apply. Learn more about us at

Our Philosophy of Service: We SERVE with integrity empathy and respect. We are ACCOUNTABLE to our clients our community and ourselves. We CULTIVATE our clients dignity through choice. We support all aspects of immigrant and refugee journeys from ARRIVING to THRIVING.

The above statements describe the jobs essential responsibilities and requirements. This is not an exhaustive list of the duties that may be assigned to job incumbents.

EEO/AA